“It started with just a small squiggle,” explained Gilbert, who was visibly astonished by the level of artistic detail. “I mean, I wasn’t even sure what it was at first. Then, like 20 minutes into the lecture, I look over and there’s this really intricate whale."

“There was a heavenly light hitting the creature’s back as it breached the ocean surface,” continued Gilbert, absolutely entranced by the vivid portrait. "And then he started working on a seagull flying overhead to really complete the scene.”

At press time, Gilbert’s classmate had taken out a blue pen and was beginning to work on the ocean landscape.